Housing: The SHD planning system is set to be scrapped, but how will its replacement work?

After failing to ‘get things moving again’ on building sites, the fast-track Strategic Housing Development system is ending as the old planning system with new limits will take its place

While house completions had risen to 21,000 a year before the pandemic, the SHD process has not been successful to the degree expected. Picture: Bloomberg

When Simon Coveney was announcing the creation of a new fast-track planning process, he promised that it would “get things moving again” on housing sites.

His decision as Minister for Housing to cut out local councils by referring large housing developments directly to An Bord Pleanála was controversial when it was announced five years ago.

But the rapid granting of planning permissions failed to deliver the promised surge of new homes, with some developers selling ...